£8m Price Could Increase For Arsenal and Liverpool Defender Target - Report

Everton and Napoli are believed to have joined the race to sign Ashley Williams reports claim, with the extra competition for the Arsenal and Liverpool defender target set to drive up his transfer fee.

Williams has continued to be a big reason behind Swansea's success since being promoted to the Premier League in 2011, with the defender leading a stable backline as the side continue to surpass expectations season after season.

Liverpool are believed to view the 28 year old as a possible replacement for Jamie Carragher, who retired at the end of last season after spending nearly 20 years at the club.

Finding someone who can stand in for the stalwart is a task that Brendan Rodgers has admitted will be near impossible, but after working with Williams during his time at Swansea, the manager is confident that Williams could come close to doing the job.

Arsenal are also reportedly monitoring the Wales international's situation and now the Mirror claims that Everton are showing interest as well as Napoli.

Sources claim that Williams' preference lies with a move to Arsenal, with Champions League football on offer as well as a chance to work with Arsene Wenger. But with growing number of clubs now chasing his signature, Swansea will no doubt see an opportunity to demand more than his initial £8m asking price.

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has made it clear he hopes to keep Williams this summer, but he has admitted there is a possibility he will once again lose one of his most important players, after losing Joe Allen to Liverpool this time last year.

"There has been a lot of talk and let's see what happens," he told reporters at the end of last month. "He extended his contract not so long ago, like I did.

"Maybe we have to accept one player will go but not any more. We have to strengthen to consolidate because a lot of the teams below us in the table will spend more money."

While Liverpool can't offer Williams the Champions League experience that Arsenal can, Rodgers will be keen to convince the star that the pair should reunite.

But a move to Everton would also be a reunion of sorts, with incoming manager Roberto Martinez having purchased Williams from Stockport in 2008 when he was at the Welsh club.

Wherever he decides to go, Swansea will be hopeful that they can in fact get a cool £10m for his departure, and the competition will only help them come closer to achieving that goal.